Taking back the slums

Two police officers stand silhouetted against the sky in Rio de Janeiro’s Parque Alegria slum as a military helicopter buzzes overhead.

Security forces have come to help install a Police Peacekeeping Unit in the area. The initiative is part of a programme to improve security in Rio, which is gearing up to host the 2014 soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Heavily armed police take up position in Parque Alegria to secure the slum and make way for a Police Peacekeeping Unit (UPP) to be established.

The first of these community policing units was set up in 2008 as part of a programme to help restore the rule of law to areas of Rio de Janeiro controlled by gangs or militia groups.

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Slideshow

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A police officer patrols the Parque Alegria slum as part of the operation to install a new police base in the area.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Police officers walk through the slum carrying their weapons.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Brazilian Navy soldiers drive a combat car during the operation.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Police officers patrol Parque Alegria.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Officers take up their positions.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A policeman walks around the slum holding his gun.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A Brazilian marine stands in front of a combat car before the operation to help install the new police unit begins.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Officers walk down a railroad as they patrol the slum.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A local girl opens the door for a police officer.

3 Mar 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Brazilian marines inside a combat car watch as police from the Special Operations Battalion start their operation.